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With One Red Card All Season, Liverpool Win Fair Play Title

Liverpool finished the 2013-14 season at the top of one table: The Fair Play League Table. The Premier League confirmed today that the Reds finished the season with a score of 328.8, ahead of Arsenal (324), Everton (323.5) and Manchester City (320).

“We are delighted to top the Fair Play League at the end of one of our most successful seasons in recent history,” manager Brendan Rodgers told the team’s official website today.

“Our fans, players and staff make up what we like to call the world’s greatest football family and as part of that we look to uphold the club’s values which include unity, dignity and commitment, which have been shown throughout the season,” he continued.

FA Charity Committee and the club will be awarded £30,000 that can be used towards community or youth projects for winning the Fair Play League.

If a player who is on a yellow card (-1 point) commits another yellow card offence, only the red card will count (-3 points). But if a player who has already been cautioned then commits a red card offence, both cards will count (so the player will receive -4 points). This is the only section in which it is possible to receive a score below zero.

2. Positive play

Maximum score = 10Minimum score = 1

This is designed to encourage attractive play that will increase the enjoyment of spectators and the following areas are taken into consideration:

POSITIVE

– Using attacking tactics, not defensive– Speeding up the game– Efforts to gain time (e.g. bringing the ball back into play quickly even if the team is in a winning position)– Continuing to push for goals when in a winning position

NEGATIVE

– Slowing down the game– Time wasting– Tactics based on foul play– Play-acting (simulation)

3. Respect towards opponents

Maximum score = 7Minimum score = 1

Players should respect the Laws of the Game and abide by the spirit of Fair Play. The Fair Play delegate’s assessment will not double count items already covered in the ‘Red and Yellow cards’ category, but the seriousness of the offences punished by cards may be considered. This category will also include offences overlooked by the referee.

Any single major incident between players may have a significant bearing on the final score.

Blameless behaviour without any particularly positive attitude or gestures is likely to receive a score of 6 rather than 7.

4. Respect towards the referee

Maximum score = 7Minimum score = 1

Players are expected to respect the officials – including assistants – at all times.

The Fair Play delegate’s assessment will not double count items already covered in the ‘Red and Yellow cards’ but the seriousness of the offences punished by cards may be considered

Any single major incident may have a significant bearing on the score.

A positive attitude, including the acceptance of doubtful decisions without protest, will be rewarded with high marks. Normal behaviour without any particular positive attitudes or gestures towards match officials is likely to receive a score of 6 rather than 7.

5. Behaviour of the team officials

Maximum score = 6Minimum score = 1

Team officials, including coaches, are expected to develop the sporting, technical and tactical level of their team – and instruct players to behave in accordance with the Fair Play principles.

Positive and negative aspects of the team officials’ conduct will be assessed – such as whether they calm down or provoke angry players or fans and how they accept the decisions of the referee. Co-operation with the media will also be taken into account.

Any single major incident may have a significant bearing on the final mark, as will breaches of the regulations governing the dugout and technical area.

Blameless behaviour without any particularly positive attitudes or gestures is likely to receive a score of 5 rather than 6.

For categories 1-5, the overall assessment of a team is obtained by adding up the points given for the individual categories, dividing this sum by the maximum points score (40) and multiplying it by 10.

In addition, there is one further category assessed by the Fair Play delegate.

6. Behaviour of the public

Maximum score = 10Minimum score = 0

All teams begin with a score of 5 points. A maximum of a further 5 points can be added for:

– Verbal support in acceptable form– Covert recognition of outstanding play by the opponents

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About Kevin Koczwara

Freelance journalist and member of the North American Soccer Reporters living in Worcester, Mass. Work has been featured on The Classical, NESN.com, MLSsoccer.com, American Soccer Now and other places.